Vehicle brake mechanism



Fel 19, 1946. J. G. INGRES VEHICLE BRAKE MECHANISM Filed Jan. 13, 1944 gmc/whom EN WW Patented Feb. 19, 1946 VEHICLE BRAKE MECHANISM Jeannot G. Ingres, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Automatic Shifters, Inc., Richmond, Va., a corporation of Virginia Application January 13, 1944, Serial No. 518,114

4 Claims.

'lhis invention relates to vehicle brake mechanisrns.

A number of devices have been developed for the power actuation of hydraulic vehicle brakes to reduce force necessary to be exerted by the operator for a given degree i application of the vehicle brakes. Most devices of this character embody a power unit wholly separate from the conventional vehicle master cylinder and opere ated and controlled in accordance with the displacement of brake fluid from the master cylinder. Such a device ordinarily is connected to the master cylinder by a fluid line which makes it possible to locate the power unit at any desired spot in the vehicle chassis where there is suilicient space available for the power means, the fluid pressure motor usually employed in such a mechanism being of substantial diameter. In the interest of simplicity and compactness it also has been proposed to combine a power mechanism with the master cylinder, thus eliminating the use of a separate power unit and the means associated therewith for displacing iiuid into the brake system to apply the brakes. Such devices are theoretically practicable, but in actual practice Very few vehicles, and particularly passenger vehicles, provide the space necessary for the mounting of the fluid pressure motor. It is impracticable to reduce the size of the motor since such expedient results in substantially reducing the power beneath that which is necessary for the full applicati-on of the brakes.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel power operated brake mechanism wherein the power source and associated elements are formed as a single compact unit with the master cylinder and wherein a .fluid pressure motor provides the brake-operating power, the novel construction of the mechanism being such that the motor may be made substantially smaller in diameter without any sacrifice in brake-applying power.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of this character` wherein a given movement of the brake pedal results in a proportionately greater movement of the pressure responsive member of the power source and wherein a novel motion reduction mechanism translates suchrelatively greater motor operation hack into a shorter operation of the uid displacing piston, thereby providing a relatively greater degree of power .by utilizing a greater movement of the movable unit of the motor while providing a fluid-displacing movement of the piston which corresponds relatively to the degree of movement ci the brake pedal.

A further object is to provide such a mechanism wnerein the motion reducing means is of such characr as to permit the mounting of the power source and fluid-displacing piston in direct alinement with each other to preserve the greatest possible degree of compactness of the mechansm as a whole.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to wherein a follow-up control mechanism is employed for the power source with one element of the control mechanism movable by the brake pedal to a substantially increased degree compared with conventional arrangements, whereby an extremely rapid response oi the power source to movement of the brake pedal is obtained, thus eliminating any lagging of the brake application relative to pedal movement.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character just referred to wherein one element of the follow-up control mechanism is operable by the brake pedal and the other element by the pressure responsive unit of the motor which, as stated, moves to a relatively great extent compared with a given movement of the brake pedal, whereby the rapid response of the motor to movement of the brake pedal is obtained, and wherein a rapid cutting off of the power occurs through movement of the pressure movable unit of the motor to cause the followup action to take place very accurately and to eliminate any overrunning of the parts.

In the drawing I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing- Figure l is a sectional view taken axially through the apparatus, parts being broken away and parts being shown in elevation, the connec tion of the wheel brake cylinders to the mechanism being diagrammatically represented,

Figure 2 is a detail sectional View on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and,

Figure 3 is a similar view on line 3 3 of Figure l.

Referring to Figure 1 the numeral l0 designates a substantially conventional master cylinder for the hydraulic brake system, the master cylinder comprising the usual cylinder l I, reservoir l2 and fluid displacing piston I3. The cylinder H is provided with a port lll through which uid may flow into the working end of the cylinder Il to replenish any leakage which may occur therefrom. The piston i3 is provided with a conventional packing cup I5 and to assist in maintaining the packing cup in a soft condition, the cylinder II also may be provided with a port I6 through which brake uid may flow into the cylinder II behind the piston I3.

The piston I3 may be substantially conventional, being cut-away intermediate its ends as at I1 and having an enlarged end opposite the packing cup I5 provided with suitable packing I8 to prevent leakage of fluid around the left hand end of the piston as viewed in Figure 1. The piston I1 is provided with an axial recess I9 having a hemispherical inner end 2B for a purpose to be described. The piston is provided with a return spring 2D to urge it to off position. The outlet end of the master cylinder is connected to a pipe line 2| having branches 22 and 23 to supply fluid to the forward and rear brake cylinders 24 and 25 respectively. The present device is shown in conjunction with a four-wheel brake system, but it will be apparent that the invention is practicable for use in other brake systems, such as those used with heavy vehicles having more than four wheels. The usual control valves generally indicated by the numeral 26 control the back and forth flow of uid from the master cylinder II into the pipe line 2|. Such valves are conventional and need not be described in detail.

The power source is indicated as a whole by the numeral 30 and is shown in the present instance as comprising a differential fluid pressure operated motor having a cylinder 3| provided with heads 3| and 32, the former of which, if desired, may be integral with the cylinder 3|. A pressure responsive unit indicated as a whole by the numeral 33 is reciprocable in the cylinder 3|. The unit 33 may comprise a body 34 which is preferably die cast and is provided with packing cups having expansion rings 36 therewithin. The body 34 is provided with an axial extension 35 normally arranged in a similar extension 36 forming preferably an integral part of the cylinder head 3|.

The body 34 is provided withV an axial sleeve 31 fixed therein and slidably receiving a valve 38. To the left of the valve 38 as viewed in Figure 1 the sleeve 31 carries an inner sleeve 39 of smaller diameter than the sleeve 31 to provide an air space 40 therebetween. This space is closed at its ends by heads 4I and 4I' tightly fitting within the sleeve 31. The valve 38 is actuated by a rod 42 extending through a bearing 43 forming a closure for the cuter end of the sleeve 31. The space between the bearing 43 and head 4I forms a vacuum space 44 with which a nipple 45 communicates, this nipple being adapted for connection by a suitable flexible hose with the intake manifold of the vehicle engine. The sleeve 39 is substantially larger than the'rod 42 to form around the rod a vacuum space 4B which communicates with the vacuum space 44. Thus partial vacuum always exists in the space 46 and this space is connectible with the ends of the motor 3D by the valve 38, in a manner to be described.

The air space 40 also is adapted to be placed in communication with the respective ends of the motor 30 by operation of the valve 38, and the space 4|) communicates with the interior of an expansible and contractible boot 41 through a port 48 formed in the sleeve 31. The interior of the boot communicates with the atmosphere through a port 49. One end of the boot 41 is connected to the bearing 43 and the other end is connected to a bearing 50 carried by the extension 36 and slidably receiving the sleeve 31.

The rod 42 carries a head 55 outwardly of the bearing 43 and this head is slotted as at 56 to 5 receive a pin 51 carried by a crank arm 53 formed as the lower end of the brake pedal 59, this pedal being fulcrumed as at 60. The brake pedal is provided with the usual return spring 6I.

The valve 38 is provided with spaced heads 65 and 68 defining an intermediate cut-away portion 61. The space around the cut-away portion 61 communicates through a passage 68 with the air space 4D. This is true in any position of the valve 38. The spacing to the left of the head 66 of the valve is in xed communication with the vacuum space 46 and this space also communicates through the interior of the valve 38 with an annular groove 69 through a passage 10.

The piston body 34 is provided with a passage 12 having its radially inner end in normal slight communication with the groove 69. The passage 12 communicates with a cross passage 13 one end of which communicates with the left hand end of the cylinder 3| as viewed in Figure 1. Another passage 14 is formed in the piston body 34 and has its radially inner end normally in restricted communication with the vacuum space to the left of the head 56. A cap 15 is arranged against one face of the piston body 34 and a diaphragm 16 is arranged between the cap 15 and the piston body. A recess 11 in the piston body cooperates with the diaphragm 16 to form a pressure chamber, and the cap 15 is similarly recessed as at 13 to cooperate with the diaphragm 16 to form a second pressure chamber. rIhe diaphragm is secured to the valve 38 as at 19.

The cap 15 is provided with a passage 3G connecting the passage 14 to the right hand end of the cylinder 3| as viewed in Figure l and the 40 passage 14 communicates with the chamber 11 through a groove 82 formed in the adjacent face of the piston body 34. The passage 13 communicates with the pressure chamber 18 through a small passage 83 formed in the diaphragm 1G and in the cap 15. It will be apparent that any pressures present in the left hand end of the cylinder 3| (Figure 1) will be duplicated in the chamber 18 through passages 13 and 83, and that any pressures in the right hand end of the cylin- 59 der 3| will be duplicated in the chamber 11 through passages 80, 14 and 82. This arrangement affords a resistance to manual movement of the valve to a degree proportional to energization of the motor 30, thus providing the pedal 5 5 59 with accurate feel, as will become more apparent below.

The cylinder head 32 carries a preferably integral cylinder 85 in which a head 86 is reciprocable. The cylinder 85 is provided at its right hand end (Figure 1) with a head 81 forming a closure for the cylinder and secured to a ange 8-8 formed integral with the master cylinder II.

An integral axial projection 89 is carried by the slidable head 86 and projects through the head 81 into the recess I9 to actuate the piston I3.

The axial extension 89 has a hemispherical end fitting the hemispherioal end 2D of the recess I9.

The head 81 may be packed as at 9|] to prevent the leakage past the extension 89 of any fluid which may seep past the packing I8.

Pairs of links 95 are carried by the slidable head 86 on opposite sides of the axis thereof and each pair of links is pivotally connected by a pin 96 to the head 86. The opposite end of each pair of links carries a roller 91 preferably formed of hardened steel, the adjacent ends of each pair of links carrying `a pin `98 rotatably supporting the associated roller. A rib 99 is arranged in each side of the cylinder 85 and has an inclined surface .engageable by the adjacent roller 91.

An axial projection 101 is preferably formed integral with the cap '15 and has oppositely tapered faces 102. The projection 101 extends through an opening 103 formed in the head 32 and the tapered faces 102 respectively engage the rollers 91. The head 85 and projection 89 are recessed `as at 104 to receive the Wedge |01 during operation of the apparatus, as will become apparent.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: When it is desired to apply the brakes the operator will depress the foot pedal 59 and this action swings the lever arm 53 in a counterclockwise direction to move the valve 65 toward the right as viewed in Figure 1. The space to the left of the valve head 65 and the groove 69 will have been in restricted communication with the respective passages "14 and '12 to exhaust air from both ends of the motor to vacuum suspend the piston 33. When the valve is moved to the right in the manner stated the groove 69 will move out of communication with the passage 12 and this passage will almost immediately communicate with the space around the valve cut-away 51, this space being in constant communication with the atmosphere through passage 08. Thus air will be `admitted to the left hand end of the cylinder 31. At the same time movement of the valve toward the right will cause the valve head 06 to open the passage '14 to full communication with the source of vacuum through the space 46.

Under the circumstances the piston 33 will start to move to the right and its extent of movement will depend upon the extent of movement imparted to the valve -38 by the brake pedal. The piston moves substantially with the valve 38, the latter partaking only of the slight lead `with respect to the piston necessary to maintain air pressure to the left of the piston 33. As soon as movement of the brake pedal 59 is arrested, a very slight additional movement of the piston 33 will restore the normal relative position of the valve 38 with respect to the piston, thus cutting oif the admission of air into the left hand end of the cylinder 3|.- Thus a perfect follow-up action of the piston with respect to the movement 0f the pedal 59 will be provided, the piston S3 automatically assuming the correct position relative to the valve 38 to maintain behind the piston 33 whatever air pressure is necessary to maintain the brakes in the desired applied position.

Actuation of the piston 33 in the manner stated moves the projection or wedge 101 between the rollers 91. The wedge |01 partakes of direct axial linear movement whereas the rollers 100 divide such linear movement into two components one of which is longitudinal and the other of which is radial as the rollers 91 move along the inclined surfaces I 00. The horizontal movement imparted to the movable head 86 will depend upon the inclination of the surfaces 100. In the present instance the apparatus illustrated is of such design that the head 86 and the elements operated thereby will move a distance equal to ap.- proximately one-third the distance of movement of the piston i33 and wedge 10|, the remaining movement of the wedge being compensated for by radially outward movement of the rollers 91. Movement of the head 86 is transmitted through the projection 89 to actuate the piston 13 and vthus displace fluid from the master cylinder through the lines 2,1, 22 and 23 to the respective brake cylinders 24 and 25. f

When the brakes are to be released, the operator will merely partially or wholly release the pedal 59, depending upon whether the brakes are to be partially or wholly released. The piston 33 obviously will follow-up with respect to the valve 38 by moving to the left in Figure 1 as the valve moves in the same direction incident to the releasing of the pedal 59. Thus a perfect follow-up action is provided and the follow-up valve action operates to very rapidly move the piston 33 to its off position when the brake pedal 59 is suddenly completely released. Such an operation will connect the space around the valve cut-away with the passage I4 while the vacuum groove 09 will be moved into full communication with the passage '12 to connect the left hand end of the cylinder 3| to the source of vacuum. Accordingly the piston 33 will be power operated to be moved to its off position.

The motion translating means comprising the rollers 91 and associated elements is important for several reasons. The movement of the piston 33 a greater distance than the master cylinder piston 13 permits the use of a motor 30 of reduced size. For example, with the arrangement shown the piston 33 moves approximately three times the distance of movement of the master cylinder piston I3. This design of the parts permits the use of a motor 30 the piston of which is of approximately one-third the area of that which would be required for generating the same pressure in the brake lines if the motor piston were directly connected to the master cylinder piston. Thus a unit of small diameter can be employed to permit the apparatus to be located directly beneath the floor boards of a motor vehicle. It is appreciated, of course, that some power loss will occur in the motion reducing mechanism, but this power loss is relatively negligible and accordingly is unimportant.

A second distinct advantage of the apparatus 'D lies in the fact that the motor is more quickly and accurately responsive to a given movement of the brake pedal 59. As is well known, the crank arm 5S is conventionally very short and a given movement of the brake pedal results in relatively short movement of the control valve in conventional power operated brake mechanisms, This relatively short movement must be depended upon to take up any play which may be present between the brake pedal and the control valve and must energize the motor to a substantial extent to cause a rapid response of the motor to movement of the brake pedal. In the present construction a lever arm 53 of greater length is employed than in conventional constructions, and accordingly a given movement of the brake pedal will result in a relatively greater movement of the valve to instantly aiford full communication of one end of the motor cylinder 3| with the source of partial vacuum. In the present instance, the ratio of movement between the wedge 10| and the piston 13 being 3:1, the lever arm 58 will be three times the normal length. This increased movement of the valve 65, particularly in View of the normal vacuum suspension of the piston 33, causes such an instantaneous response of the motor piston to movement of the brake pedal that no appreciable lag occurs. The use of the diaphragm '15 and associated elements is highly advisable inasmuch as this diaphragm is reversely subjected to pressures in the ends of the cylinder 31 to resist a brake-applying movement of lthe valve 38 away from its normal position to an extent exactly proportional to differential pressures in the motor 3 I, thus providing the pedal 5S with highly accurate feel. This device, per se, forms no part of the present invention.

The particular motion translating means illustrated in the drawing and comprising the rollers 91 and associated elements is important for the additional reason that it facilitates the arrangement of the motor 36 in direct axial alinement with the master cylinder piston I3, thus permitting the making of a highly compact mechanism. Moreover, the motion transmitting means illustrated and described exactly divides the forces transmitted to the rollers 91, thus keeping the transmitted forces in exact balance and reducing power losses, strains, etc., at a minimum.

The present construction is advantageous over prior constructions which employ a power unit operable by fluid displaced from the master cylinder in that it forms a single unit with the conventional master cylinder and eliminates one cylinder, its piston and packing means. The device therefore provides a simple compact unit particularly adapted for use in passenger cars, and the unit is capable of relatively inexpensive manufacture. Moreover, the elimination of the separate cylinder from which fluid is displaced into the brake cylinders eliminates much of the source of trouble occurring in an apparatus of this character, much of such trouble being due to failures in the piston packing.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A brake operating mechanism for a hydraulic brake system having a pedal, a hydraulic brake cylinder and a master cylinder having a piston therein and communicating with the brake cylinder, comprising a differential fluid pressure operated motor having a pressure movable member therein, a follow-up control valve mechanism for said motor comprising a pair of valve elements one movable with said pressure movable member, said pedal having a relatively long lever arm mechanically connected to the other of said valve elements, said pressure movable member and said piston being movable in axial alinement, a pair of links arranged on opposite sides of the axis of said piston and each having one end mechanically connected thereto, rollers carried by the other ends of said links, inclined elements diverging in the direction of fluid-displacing movement of said piston and against which said rollers are respectively arranged, and a Wedge carried by said pressure movable -member and having surfaces converging in said direction and extending between said rollers in contact therewith.

2. An operating mechanism for a hydraulic brake system comprising a master cylinder having a piston therein movable in one direction to displace fluid into the brake system, a guide structure fixed to the master cylinder in axial alinement therewith, a head operable in said guide structure and having a portion engaging said piston to transmit movement thereto, links connected to said head on opposite sides of the axis of said cylinders, rollers carried by said links, inclines diverging in said direction and engaged by said rollers, a differential fluid pressure motor in axial alinement with and carried by said guide structure, said motor having a pressure movable member therein provided with an axial projection extending in said direction and having faces converging in said direction and engaging said rollers therebetween, and a manually operable control valve mechanism for said motor.

3. An operating mechanism for a hydraulic brake system comprising a master cylinder having a piston therein movable in one direction to displace fluid into the brake system, a guide structure fixed to the master cylinder in axial alinement therewith, a head operable in said guide structure and having a portion engaging said piston to transmit movement thereto, links connected to said head on opposite sides of the axis of said cylinders, rollers carried by said links, inclines diverging in said direction and engaged by said rollers, a differential fluid pressure motor in axial alinement with and carried by said guide structure, said motor having a pressure movable member therein provided with an axial projection extending in said direction and having faces converging in said direction and engaging said rollers therebetween, a follow-up `control valve mechanism for said motor comprising a pair of valve elements one of which is xed to said pressure movable member, and a brake pedal having a relatively long lever arm connected to the other valve element.

4. A brake operating mechanism for a hydraulic brake system having a pedal, a hydraulic brake cylinder and a master cylinder having a piston therein and communicating with the brake cylinder, comprising a differential fluid pressure operated motor having a pressure movable member therein, a follow-up control valve mechanism for said motor comprising a pair of valve elements one movable with said pressure movable member, said pedal having a relatively long lever arm mechanically connected to the other of said valve elements, said pressure movable member and said piston being movable in axial alinement, a pair of rollers, opposed elements having inner faces diverging in the direction of fluid-displacing movement of said piston and against which said rollers are respectively arranged, a wedge carried by said pressure movable member and having surfaces converging in said direction and extending between said rollers in contact therewith to eifect bodily movement thereof along said diverging faces, and means for transmitting bodily movement of said rollers to said piston.

JEANNOT G. INGRES. 

